The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music

Latest Episodes:

Steve Farber Book Release Episode Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Jay Jay's book "Twisted Business: Lessons from My Life in Rock 'n Roll" is available on September 21st, & is currently available for preorder. Twisted Business is co-authored by Jay Jay's great friend and mentor Steve Farber, and their book is the focus of today's episode. Tune in to hear Steve's second appearance on the show to learn all about how Steve & Jay Jay met & built a lifelong friendship together, & to hear the ins and outs of how they selected the stories and topics to be included in the book. "In addition to founding Twisted Sister, a world-famous heavy metal band that has sold more than 20 million records worldwide, Jay Jay French is one of the top entrepreneurs in entertainment. After taking over as manager in the ‘70s, French developed Twisted Sister into the most heavily licensed heavy metal band in history, leading the group to perform more than 9,000 shows in forty countries. Part business book, part memoir, Twisted Business is an unexpected, inspiring, whirlwind story of transformation and redemption. Twisted Business follows French’s adventure-filled life—from growing up in New York City in the sixties, to working as a drug dealer and struggling as an addict before quitting cold-turkey, and finally, to creating and cultivating Twisted Sister and turning it into one of the most successful brands in the world. Together with his mentor, Steve Farber, a best-selling author and one of the world’s top leadership and management experts, French offers unique, hard-earned tips and advice from his nearly 50 years as a musician, music business manager, and entrepreneur. French shows how, through tenacity, grit, and dedication, anyone can create their own brand, grow a successful business, re-invent themselves, or simply find success in what they love to do. Entertaining, provocative, funny, and informative, this book is the trip of a lifetime and a treasured guide for entrepreneurs, business people, and music fans alike." Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Steve Binder Part I Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest is the legendary producer and director Steve Binder. Steve found success behind the camera on television shows showcasing music, when he was only in his early 20s. He was also influential in creating music programs that featured a wide range of musical styles. He's well known as being the director & producer of the remarkable rock documentary known as the T.A.M.I. Show, which greatly influenced Jay Jay immediately upon seeing it growing up - showcasing artists such as James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Jan and Dean, Smokey Robinson, Leon Russell, Lesley Gore & many more. Tune in to hear why Jay Jay calls James Brown's performance on the T.A.M.I Show the "single greatest performance done by a human being, on the planet." Hear all about Steve's life story, and why he believes that when talent, timing & luck all hit at the same time, this is the combination that can accelerate your life & your career. Be sure to keep an eye out for part II of their conversation, in which Steve & Jay Jay will further discuss the Elvis Presley: 68' comeback special, which Steve also directed and produced. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

Mark Mendoza Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

Lifelong friend of Jay Jay's, & Twisted Sister bandmate Mark "The Animal" Mendoza is this week's special guest. Mark is a legendary bass player that has an incomparable feel, stage presence & knowledge of the bass guitar. Mark & Jay Jay have been business partners, musical collaborators & in-laws to one another for years. Despite how well they know one another, Mark & Jay Jay still manage to find uncovered ground through sitting down & taking the time to chat on the podcast. Hear all about Mark's influences, the ins & outs of what shaped his signature sound, & his current musical projects. Don't miss this conversation on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

Jay Marciano Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest is a music industry powerhouse, & good friend of Jay Jay's - Jay Marciano. Jay is currently the CEO & chairman of AEG, & one of the biggest figures behind the scenes in the live event industry. Hear Jay discuss how he caught the music bug, his early career working in music promotion, & the efforts he has made to help keep the live music industry healthy & afloat this past year. Tune into this insider conversation only The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music.

Scott Benarde Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest, Scott Benarde, is author of the book "Stars of David: Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Jewish Stories." In his book Scott focuses on how Judaism influenced the life & the art of many individuals in Rock n Roll. Scott combines his passion for Judaism, journalism and rock ‘n’ roll - the result: a revealing look at what has been, until now, the “stealth” contribution and influence of Judaism on rock music and the people who make it. Don't miss this unique conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music.

Steve Farber & Tommy Spaulding Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

Motivational speakers, who are close friends & mentors of Jay Jay's - Steve Farber & Tommy Spaulding - are this week's guests. Tune into this week's episode to really go beyond the music, & to hear these three discuss the world of motivational speaking & the importance of challenging oneself in their life's endeavors. Steve & Tommy are both great speakers themselves, & encouraged Jay Jay to get into keynote & motivational speaking. Steve Farber has written numerous bestsellers in the past, & is the co-author of Jay Jay's upcoming book, "Twisted Business: Lessons from My Life in Rock 'n Roll." Don't miss this episode & be sure to keep an eye out for Jay Jay's book, which is to be released on September 21st.

Matthew Mallinger: Jay Jay & Matt Stories Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Tune in this week for a unique guest, Jay Jay's producer Matthew Mallinger. In addition to being Jay Jay's producer, Matthew is a creative technologist & drummer currently based in Los Angeles. Hear Jay Jay & Matt reflect on all of the guests that have been on the show thus far, and the progression of the show as a whole. Jay Jay counters the joke that " if you remember the 60's you weren't there," by tapping into his remarkably specific memory, & spending the hour sharing stories about his journey in music, all the way back to his youth & bar gig days in New York. Don't miss these two cover everything from life as a musician & the foundations of Twisted Sister, to high school aged shenanigans & Jay Jay's ridiculous tongue twisting exercise that he uses to warm up before speaking. Only here on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

Perry Margouleff Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

No one knows analog recording & guitars quite like Perry Margouleff. Perry is a guitar player, songwriter, engineer, record producer, & guitar collector with a passion for analog recording. He has spent his life collecting guitars & recording guitar-based music of all genres. He built a world class analog recording studio on Long Island's North Shore, the renowned Pie Studios, which has been home to many of the record industry's top musicians, engineers & producers. Perry is also cofounder of the amplifier company "SUNDRAGON," alongside Jimmy Page - their Sundragon amplifier is a faithful recreation of the amp Jimmy Page used exclusively to create the sounds on Led Zeppelin 1. Hear Perry & Jay Jay Jay discuss their history working together, the resurgence of vinyl records, the differences between analog & digital recording, and why there is hope for a renaissance of art & music after this past year. Hear this unique conversation only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

Denny Somach Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest is legendary producer & Rock historian Denny Somach. Denny has been just about everywhere in the music business, & has produced records for the likes of Johnny Winter, Alan Parsons, Eric Johnson & Todd Rundgren. He has authored two books about The Beatles, "Ticket to Ride" and "Meet the Beatles...Again," as well as the ultimate Led Zeppelin book "Get the Led Out: How Led Zeppelin Became the Biggest Band in the World." Tune in to hear Jay Jay & Denny discuss their early years in the music industry, their favorite artists, most impactful musical experiences & much more. Be sure to check out Denny's podcast "The Rock Podcast," co-hosted by Anita Gevinson, which features segments from Denny's amazing archival interviews from some of the biggest names in Rock n Roll. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

DJ Viola Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest is Director, Producer & Rock Doc veteran DJ Viola. Hear all about DJ's recent directorial project "Biography: KISStory," which chronicles the band KISS's five decades in the business, as founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons reflect on their historic career. Jay Jay talks about catching KISS shows in their early years, and tells the story of how he auditioned for the band in 1972, only here on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music. Don't miss catching the amazing rock doc "Biography: KISStory". The first half of the four-hour, two-night event premiered last night on Sunday, June 27 and the second half premieres today Monday, June 28 from 9-11pm ET/PT on A&E. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

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